Diego Costa's dark side 'in the past', says Conte
The Blues boss thinks that his talismanic striker is no longer a liability when it comes to picking up bookings as he goes numerous games without being yellow carded.
Antonio Conte believes that Diego Costa is a changed man after he was told by his boss to reform his ways following four bookings in his first six league games of the season.
Costa has gone eight games without a yellow card in all competitions and is also leading the Premier League scoring charts with 10 goals - the same tally as Man City's Sergio Aguero.
The Blues boss is pleased that he no longer has to answer questions about the Spain international striker's discipline and hailed the change in his player's behaviour ahead of the top-of-the-table clash.
"I am pleased for him, for Diego," Conte told a news conference at Stamford Bridge. "He is showing a great respect, great passion in the right way during these games. It is fantastic for him, for me, his team-mates and the club.
"Also it is great to talk about Diego in a positive way and not a bad way. At the start of the season, the questions about Diego were about how his passion was not good and that we should try to change his behaviours. I think Diego is playing very well and we are happy that this [bad] behaviour is in the past".
Chelsea fans had begun a hashtag entitled #CostaCrimes as they felt their striker was unfairly targeted by referees and the media. Costa hadn't done himself any favours, however, having been involved in several high-profile incidents during his time at Stamford Bridge.